Your Morning Dump… Where Rondo needs to take that shot

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

“He’s wide open,’’ forward Paul Pierce said. “He was open two or three seconds before he even took it. We were begging him to shoot it. Hey, we’ll take that, a wide open look. Rondo, he’s showed he can make those shots, especially under pressure situations. I take it. I told him after the game, I’ll take that shot.’’

…

“The options were all taken away and I was open and I took the shot,’’ Rondo said. “I was open, so I am going to take it if they give it to me. I got a lot of confidence in it. I thought it was good. I got my feet set, got a good look.’’

I have no problems with Rajon Rondo taking a wide open three pointer with the game on the line and the clock winding down. He'll never be more wide open.

Was the Celtics execution in the final 15 seconds horrible? Yes. Could Rondo have attempted a drive to the basket earlier in the set? Yes. But once the clock hit 5 seconds… that open three-pointer was the best option.

On Page 2, Jermaine O'Neal's mysterious knee procedure.

He told Comcast SportsNet on Sunday that he underwent a minor procedure on his knee, but that left the club a bit curious.

“I don’t know what he means,” general manager Danny Ainge said. “He gets treatment on his knee, but a procedure? I don’t know anything about that. I don’t know what he’s referring to. I don’t know if he means he got a shot or something.”

O’Neal said last night he didn’t want to get specific.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said. “Some guys milk it, but I just go out and play. If I’m out on the court, then I’m OK.”

Despite the loss, that second half was very encouraging for the starters and most of the bench. Especially it being the 5th game in 7 nights and on the second road game of a back-to-back.
PROS:
KG played out of his mind on both sides of the ball.
Paul had a quiet 24 points.
Rondo will hit a game winner this season, there’s no doubt in my mind.
Big Baby has really perfected his jumper at the top of the key.
Semih continues to make smart plays and, of course, hit free throws.
CONS:
Jermaine….like you said, the guy seems to be made out of paper mache.
I figured Ray would be off his game since he played the most minutes in OKC.
It’s clear that Nate misses Delonte’s presence on the court more than anyone. He looks lost 80% of the time.

thetitleisours

Maybe JON is into acupuncture

daemian

seriously, the Celtics lost that game by showing no aggression on affense. They didn’t get to the line because they didn’t take it inside! And where was the double team on Nowitzki when it mattered most?!And to top it off they didn’t even try some kind of i-formtaion on that last offensive play. They looked like they thought they were ending the first quarter instead of the game. It’s always a shame to lose a game against an obviously inferior opponent.

jared

I will take that shot by Rondo all day. My only issue was how long he took to put it up. Hes got to be a little more confident and sure when he rises up. hate to see that split second of hesitation, because you pretty much know at that point it aint goin in.

the-facts

i don’t have a problem with taking that shot in the first second, & the third quaters. but in a close game in the 4th quater, i do not want rondo ever to take shot. the kid just cannot shot the ball, that’s not his game. he needs to look for the open guy. and if we have a minute or less left on the clock. paul pierce should have the ball in his hands. not rondo.

Adam

No reason why our last shot should be a Rondo three-pointer. If he’s not planning to attack the basket on the final possession, then the ball should be taken out of his hands. We have proven jump shooting closers in Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and even Kevin Garnett. I don’t see why everyone is accepting this shot as the best option.

the-facts

dude rondo can noooooooooot shoot. do you understand that part. if you need one last shot in the 4th quarter and time is running out the clock. you have to go to your best offensive player. rondo is not even 4th best offensive player on the team. nate and delonte are better offensive players than him.